Short-term triazolam use improves nocturnal sleep of narcoleptics

M. J. Thorpy, M. Snyder, F. S. Aloe, P. S. Ledereich, K. E. Starz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of triazolam by narcoleptic patients leads to improvement of nighttime sleep or excessive sleepiness. Ten narcoleptic patients, 5 males and 5 females, with complaints of sleep disturbance and aged between 18 and 60 years, were assigned to a single-blind within-subject crossover-designed study comparing placebo with 0.25 mg triazolam. All subjects completed sleep questionnaires and underwent 6 nights of polysomnographic testing. Following an adaptation night, subjects received either triazolam or placebo for 2 nights. Objective tests of sleepiness (multiple sleep latency testing/maintenance of wakefulness test) were performed. Sleep efficiency and overall sleep quality were improved on all triazolam nights. Daytime excessive sleepiness was not reduced objectively after triazolam. This study demonstrates that the short-term use of triazolam improves nocturnal sleep quality in narcoleptics. Studies of long-term administration of triazolam are required to determine if the improvement of nocturnal sleep is maintained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)212-216
Number of pages5
JournalSleep
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992

Keywords

  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Narcolepsy
  • Nocturnal sleep
  • Triazolam

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Physiology (medical)

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